How Much Is Enough? Rethinking Success, Money & Meaning in a High-Performance World

During my recent Masterclass in Thailand, something happened during a simple coffee break that stayed with me long after the session ended. One of the delegates walked up to me and said:
“Dr. Jerome, I feel like I’m not making enough money.”

It’s a sentence I’ve heard countless times — from CEOs, senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals across the world. And every single time, it makes me pause. Because money matters. It gives freedom, choices, comfort, and the ability to shape the life we want.

But the conversation about money often leaves out the most important question:

How much is enough?

The Real Question: What Does “Enough” Mean for You?

When she asked me about not making enough money, I didn’t respond with strategies or financial growth tips. Instead, I asked her:

“How much is enough for you?”

Most people chase money without clarity. They pursue numbers without purpose. And that leads to frustration, burnout, and a feeling of never being satisfied — no matter how much they earn.

I shared something I have learned through my global experience working with leaders, brands, and organisations around the world:

It’s not about how much money you make.
It’s about how much meaning you create.

If your income grows but your joy declines, are you truly succeeding?

If you win awards but lose yourself, is it really worth it?

If you impress the world but feel empty inside, what are you actually achieving?

My Own Journey: Rewriting What Success Means

People often see the spotlight — the keynote speeches, the packed auditoriums, the leadership masterclasses, the global travel, and the professional recognition. They see the stage, not the story behind it.

They don’t see the part where I spend close to 100 days a year away from home.
They don’t see the times I miss my kids.
They don’t see the fatigue of long flights and back-to-back programs.
They don’t see the emotional cost of constant travel.

I love what I do. I love speaking, inspiring, and transforming organisations. But I also love my family. And over the years, I realised something very important:

Success without happiness is simply noise — loud, impressive, but empty.

So I made changes:

• I became selective about the events I take on.
  
  

• I choose clients whose energy aligns with my purpose.
  
  

• I use AI to reduce workload and stress, allowing me to work smarter, not harder.
  
  

• I prioritise a low-stress, meaningful life filled with purpose and presence.
  
  

Could I work more and make more money?
Yes. Easily.

But at what cost?

Today, I choose joy, presence, and peace over pressure.

The True Definition of Success

We live in a world of constant comparison. Someone will always earn more. Someone will always seem happier. Someone will always appear more successful.

But real success is not external — it’s internal.

It’s not measured in currency.
It’s measured in clarity.

Ask yourself:

• What do I value the most?
  
  

• What brings me genuine joy?
  
  

• What energises me?
  
  

• What makes my life feel meaningful?
  
  

• What kind of success feels sustainable for me?
  
  

When you answer these questions, everything changes.
You stop chasing numbers.
You start chasing meaning.

You stop running towards more.
You begin moving towards enough.

From Money to Meaning — The Shift We All Need

The conversation must evolve.

Instead of only asking:

“How do I make more money?”

Ask:

• “How do I make more impact?”
  
  

• “How do I create more joy in my daily life?”
  
  

• “How do I design a life aligned with my purpose?”
  
  

• “How can I use my skills to feel fulfilled, not just financially rewarded?”
  
  

Money grows when meaning grows.
Impact expands when purpose expands.
Fulfilment happens when your inner world matches your outer actions.

So, How Much Is Enough?

Enough is deeply personal.
Enough is when your life feels balanced.
Enough is when your days feel meaningful.
Enough is when stress doesn’t control you.
Enough is when you have time for the people who matter.
Enough is when you wake up with peace, not pressure.

Enough is a feeling, not a number.

Final Thought

After decades of working with leaders, brands, and organisations globally, here is the truth:

Money amplifies your life — but it does not define it.
Meaning shapes your life — and it elevates it.

So maybe the real question isn’t:

“How do I earn more?”

Maybe it’s:

“How do I live more?”

Because success isn’t measured by the size of your paycheck.
It’s measured by the size of your smile.